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What Employers Need to Know
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa requires employer sponsorship. To be eligible, regional businesses must be approved as sponsors and put forward jobs that are listed on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Employers also have to meet a few important requirements, like paying the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, proving the job is actually based in a regional area, and following the labor market testing rules.
Thousands of global businesses can't be wrong.
Sign up for free and explore global hiring with Playroll.
What Is the 494 Visa?
The Subclass 494 Visa allows employers in designated regional areas to sponsor skilled foreign workers for up to five years. It supports regional growth by helping employers fill labor shortages. After three years, visa holders may apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa.
Common Job Roles Sponsored Under This Visa
- Healthcare & Nursing (Registered Nurse, Aged Care Worker, Medical Practitioner)
- Engineering & Construction (Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Project Manager)
- IT & Technology (Systems Administrator, ICT Business Analyst, Network Engineer)
- Hospitality & Trades (Chef, Cook, Carpenter, Automotive Technician)
- Education & Community Services (Early Childhood Teacher, Social Worker, Counsellor)
Employer Sponsorship Requirements for 494 Visa
To sponsor a worker under the 494 visa, the employer must:
- Be an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) registered with the Department of Home Affairs.
- Be located in a designated regional area of Australia.
- Demonstrate genuine need for the nominated occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
- Ensure the salary meets or exceeds the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).
- Pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy.
- Comply with all sponsorship and record-keeping obligations.
How Much Does it Cost to Sponsor 494 Visa?
Typical costs include:
Employers often cover these costs, but this may depend on contract terms.
Estimated Timeline for Sponsoring 494 Visa
Processing times depend on the occupation and nomination details but typically range between:
- Average: 5–9 months
- Regional or priority processing: May be faster if documents are complete
Delays occur if health checks, police clearances, or labor market testing evidence are missing.
Alternative Hiring Solutions That Don't Require Visa Sponsorship
Sponsoring a 494 visa can be expensive, time-consuming, and full of red tape – from managing compliance to paying levies and dealing with long processing times. For businesses that need to move fast or quickly fill roles, traditional sponsorship isn’t always the best option.
There is an alternative. As an Employer of Record, Playroll lets you legally hire international talent in over 180 countries, without needing to relocate them or deal with visa sponsorship. We’ll handle payroll, contracts, benefits, and make sure everything is above board with local labor laws. It’s a quicker, more affordable way to scale globally without the delays and costs of moving people across borders.
Hire Without Visa Hassles, Anywhere
01
Find Top Talent
Portugal, Italy, South Africa — hire your ideal candidate anywhere in the world.
02
Contact Playroll
No local entity? No problem. We employ on your behalf in 180+ markets.
03
Admin, Handled
From the contract to payroll and benefits, we handle it all, so you can focus on growth.
04
Hands-On Help
From onboarding to offboarding, our team provides real human support along the way.
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